Landscape ecology focuses on thc development and dynamics of spatial heterogeneity at large temporal/spatial scales. A landscape is a mosaic of elements (patches and corridors) generated at various scales. Agriculture has traditionally been managed at the agroecosystem (landscape patch) level of resolution and has been judged successful based on the concept of crop yield. A new transdisciplinary approach to agriculture at he landscape level needs to be implemented based on the concepts of sustainability, hierarchy theory, and landscape diversity. New transdisciplinary research and educational approaches must include problem-solving algorithms, the concept of net energy. and tools such as Geographic Information Systems. Recommendations are presented for changes that are urgently needed if sustainable agriculture is to be developed and managed at the landscape level. These recommendations include changes in and the integration of our present research, educational, and management philosophies. A new field of study-agrolandscape ecology-must evolve if we are to develop and manage agriculture in a sustainable and cost-effective manner for future generations.
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Gary W. Barrett (1992) studied this question.
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